Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: A collarbone injury that he suffered back in November limited Nick Oliver’s appearances. He spent time with Roseau and the Fargo Force (USHL) this season. He appeared in 12 games with the Force posting a goal and an assist. In 11 games with the Rams, Oliver posted 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) and earned the team’s Oscar Almquist Award. He was also named an honorable mention to AP and Pioneer Press All-State teams as well.

2009-10: Oliver played another year in the USHL with the Fargo Force. He scored 5 goals, 13 assists for 18 points in 53 regular season games and added 95 PIMs. In 13 playoff games, Oliver managed 1 goal, 1 assist and 4 PIMs.

2010-11: Oliver skated in 56 of 60 games for Fargo in his second USHL season. Playing in an energy line, two-way role for the Force he scored 7 goals with 10 assists and was -2 with 64 PMs. Oliver played in all five playoff games as the Force reached the second round and was +1 with no points an 6 PMs.

2011-12: Oliver skated in 34 of 39 games for St. Cloud State as a freshman. Playing in mostly a lower line role early in the year, his role for the Huskies increased when fellow Nashville prospect Cam Reid left school in January to play in the WHL. Oliver scored 2 goals with 2 assists and was minus-three with 33 penalty minutes. After finishing sixth in the WCHA and struggling to stay above .500 for much of the season, the Huskies won 7 of their final 11 games, with two losses coming in overtime.

2012-13: Oliver skated in 34 of 42 games for St. Cloud State as a sophomore – missing time in mid-season due to a “lower body injury”. Primarily playing alongside junior center Cory Thorson on the Huskies’ third line, he scored 1 goal with 5 assists and was an even plus/minus with 22 penalty minutes. St. Cloud state finished tied with Minnesota for first in the WCHA and bounced back from a loss to Wisconsin in the WCHA semifinals to reach the 2013 Frozen Four. After defeating Notre Dame and Miami to capture the Midwest Regional the Huskies lost to Quinnipiac, 4-1 in the Frozen Four semifinals.

2013-14: Oliver skated in 37 of 38 games for St. Cloud State in his junior season as the Huskies captured the first-ever National Collegiate Hockey Conference regular season title and reached the finals of the NCAA West Regional. Playing in mostly a lower line role he scored 1 goal with 3 assists and was minus-3 with 12 penalty minutes. After being swept by Miami in a two-game NCHA quarterfinal series, St. Cloud State defeated Notre Dame 4-3 in overtime in the NCAA West regional semifinal before falling to Minnesota, 4-0.

Talent Analysis

Oliver is a big forward who can play both at center and on wing. While his offensive role has been limited at St. Cloud State he is competitive, works hard, and does not give up on the puck easily. His skating style, hunched over with long legs, is awkward but he has some speed. Oliver's shot was one of his attributes coming out of junior hockey but he has scored just four goals in 105 games thus far in his college career.

Future

Oliver figures to play the same understated but appreciated role as a checking forward in his final season of college hockey. The Huskies are coming off back-to-back 20-plus win seasons and Oliver has been a big part of that. At the pro level his role will likely be that of a checking forward with the ability to kill penalties though he may have to sign a minor league deal and work his way up the
ranks.

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